Texas Holdem Poker

safesoundz · Member Joined: May 24, 2005 Posts: 27

Just wondering if any of you have a specific way of playing?, loose, tight, agrressive or mixture of both.

Im quite new to poker and tend to do a bit of everything. And probably as result of this so far my i am not doing to well. I win a few pots get my balance up and then lose it again. (i play in 0.10/0.20 cent tables) And probably wont progess higher for a long time at this rate

The problem for me at the moment is knowing when to fold. There have been hands where i know i am losing but i call just to prove myself right!!.

If there is one advice you could give someone like me (new / un-experienced) what would it be?

webmaster · Site Admin Joined: Nov 26, 2003 Posts: 643

Hello safesound - good questions.

I'd start by saying your playing style is good - most people can't mix play. They begin life as a rock and over time move to being calling stations. I wrote an article on player style and how to identify them recently (see news scrolling at the bottom of my homepage).

One question on your style switches though - are they determined by your cards or are they truly random? Do you ever raise with 27 offsuit?

The first problem I think you have is that you are playing in such a low category that for many people they won't care if they win or lose. Play in that category, and it's even more true as a free player, is artificial because there is so little at stake. I think you'll find if you move up to say 50c/$1 or $1/$2 that the play will be less random but no harder. Also in low limit, calling a marginal hand at the end is not good because people don't bluff - they are playing just the cards.

Folding is a skill that most people never master. Have you ever folded AA or KK ? I'd bet not. Most people can't do it - but ask yourself this - how often does a single pair win a showdown ?

Two main bits of advice:

1) Choose your starting hands carefully - e.g always fold A9 (bet you always play that?)

2) Play Table Position - and try bluffing only when opportunities present themselves. For example you're in late position blinds only to the flop, flop is rags with say 2 suited cards - bet it. I the flop comes AKQ fold. Remember at your level most people are playing AA, AK, AQ, AJ, A10, A9.....A2 even! So if there's an ace on the board you're probably behind. No ace and most people have their kicker to try to make a pair, and that is usually a high card. I'm suggesting that you play your cards when you have solid hands, bluff occasionally with suited connectors and other marginal hands, but base your bluffing strategy based on what comes out and the types of player your up against. You'll be up against a lot of rocks - opportunities like 3 to a flush on the board are good for bluffs, or say a pair like 77. Read my section on table position - it's just as important as the cards you're holding.

3) Never bluff with high cards on the board. So if you're holding A9 (you shouldn't as that's always a fold) and the flop comes A64 don't bet it, and if you do and are called a large bluff won't work.

ahhyeaa · Junior Member Joined: Feb 16, 2006 Posts: 7

I agree with webmaster your posting some good questions. A few warnings about playing the low limit tables. Watch out for vultures! I mean there will usually be a player or two alot better than the rest and just wait to rack up on the nut or really big hands. I know this because I used to do it. It was a guranteed way to make money, but for me I didn't like sitting there for 4 or 5 hrs to make 5 or 10 dollars on a table. It gave me a headache and took the fun out of the game. Also, watch for the people playing more than one table. I gurantee they are doing what I'm talking about. One more thing, try not to jump on a table where someone has more than twice the buy in because your automatically at a disadvantage.

After reading some of your posts I had a idea you were pretty new to the game. You reminded me alot of myself when I started playing. I would also say your playing well for a beginner. Your not doing anything boneheaded.

I totally agree with webmaster about being able to be good at mixing up your play. It was hard for me to do. I played so tight for so long and when I did play hands I was convinced I had the best hand and I would bet it till the end and I was always a sucker for a reraise. I went through a streak of getting beat by lesser hands, hands that people would have folded if I would have bet better. I finally quit playing. I was convinced it was a game of luck than skill. With that being said your going to get unlucky but do what you can to prevent it and not welcome it.

I totally agree about getting off the small tables also. I learned alot more and when I got beat and I felt I got beat by better players and not to luck. Of course, don't play in games you can't afford but if it was me I would just play fewer higher limit tables than alot of the lower limit tables. It's alot less frustrating and the games are more enjoyable.

I like to think of the game as a game of mistakes and who ever makes the least amount has the best chance of winning. So, I would say I'm still more towards the tight side but I bet more aggressively than I use to. I bet the same amount of money as I used to except I bet fewer times. I think playing like this gives me more of a read on other players and it puts more pressure on them to call or raise.

I'm not trying to act like a know it all. I'm just trying to be honest with you in my experience in the game and really the only way to get better is to play and find out what works for you.

safesoundz · Member Joined: May 24, 2005 Posts: 27

Thanks Webmaster / ahhyeaa for your comments.

I have taken your advice and i am not playing the 0.10/0.20 cent tables anymore.

I am definately tightened up with my starting hands. I am now not playing hands like A 9 of suit, as i used to before.

I am now understanding how important position is, i never realised the importance of this.

Also i only used to concentrate on my hand rather than consider what my opposition had. Therefore betting away without thinking. These flaws i am hopefully now ironing out. I still tend to have some stupid moments where i 'tilt'. But you gotta learn somehow.

I like the style you play ahhyeaa, tight-aggressive. I am becoming more tighter but need to work on the aggressive side a bit more Wink

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